Abimelech אֲבִימֶ֫לֶךְ
Son of Gideon, self-proclaimed king of Shechem
Biography
Abimelech was a son of Gideon, the judge of Israel, by his Shechemite concubine (Jdg.8.31). After Gideon's death, Abimelech conspired with his mother's family in Shechem to make himself king. He killed his seventy brothers, with only the youngest, Jotham, escaping (Jdg.9.1-6).
Jotham confronted the people of Shechem with a parable, warning them of the consequences of their actions in supporting Abimelech (Jdg.9.7-21). After three years, tensions arose between Abimelech and the people of Shechem, who eventually rebelled against him. Abimelech defeated the Shechemites and destroyed their city, sowing it with salt (Jdg.9.22-49).
Abimelech then attacked the city of Thebez. During the siege, a woman dropped an upper millstone on his head, severely wounding him. To avoid the disgrace of being killed by a woman, Abimelech ordered his armor-bearer to kill him with a sword (Jdg.9.50-54). His death was seen as God's judgment for his wickedness in killing his brothers (Jdg.9.56-57).
Abimelech's story is a cautionary tale about the dangers of ambition, treachery, and the abuse of power. It also demonstrates the consequences of failing to follow God's leadership and the importance of loyalty and integrity in relationships.
The death of Abimelech by a millstone is later referenced by David when he learns of the death of Uriah the Hittite in battle (2Sa.11.21), highlighting the ignominy associated with Abimelech's demise.
Family
In Scripture
2 biblical booksJudges 5 verses
- Judges 8:31
"His concubine who was in Shechem also bore him a son, and he named him Abimelech."
- Judges 9:1
"Abimelech the son of Jerubbaal went to Shechem to his mother’s brothers, and spoke with them and with all the family of the house of his mother’s father, saying,"
- Judges 9:3
"His mother’s brothers spoke of him in the ears of all the men of Shechem all these words. Their hearts inclined to follow Abimelech; for they said, “He is our brother.”"
- Judges 9:4
"They gave him seventy pieces of silver out of the house of Baal Berith, with which Abimelech hired vain and reckless fellows who followed him."
- Judges 9:6
"All the men of Shechem assembled themselves together with all the house of Millo, and went and made Abimelech king by the oak of the pillar that was in Shechem."
2 Samuel 1 verse
- 2 Samuel 11:21
"Who struck Abimelech the son of Jerubbesheth? Didn’t a woman cast an upper millstone on him from the wall, so that he died at Thebez? Why did you go so near the wall?’ then you shall say, ‘Your servant Uriah the Hittite is also dead.’ ”"
Names & Aliases
| Form | Language | Script | Strong's |
|---|---|---|---|
| Named | Hebrew | אֲבִימֶ֫לֶךְ | H0040H |